• [G3XBM] That projects book

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Tue Apr 12 18:45:51 2022
    XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.equipment, uk.radio.amateur
    XPost: free.uk.amateur-radio

    Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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    That projects book

    Posted: 12 Apr 2022 06:43 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/that-projects-book.html


    Several people have suggested that I do a book of all my projects. I
    started it, but have not got too far! It is a lot of hard work, but might
    be a good idea. What do you think?
    Looking back, I have done several projects and it might be a "good thing"
    to have them all together. These cover VLF to light (1 kHz to 481 THz) plus some antennas.
    Someone in the comments suggested a PDF version, which is not a bad idea.
    Maybe I should consider this?
    I am not really after money for this, so maybe I should do it and add it as
    a free download from my website? If anyone wants to give a charity
    donation, they would be free to do so. If they just want the PDF book, that
    is their choice.
    Hopefully, Practical Wireless, RadCom and QST (maybe others too?) could
    give the link.

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    Tenbox

    Posted: 12 Apr 2022 06:24 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/tenbox.html


    Many years ago, before my stroke, I intended to build a simple 10m phone transceiver aimed at local contacts only. What I had in mind was a 10m
    version of my 6m Sixbox and 2m Fredbox.
    It used a super-regen RX with isolating pre-amp to avoid radiation, so
    would not be suitable for DX work. Having said that, it had no problems receiving USA AM stations in the car with just a base loaded whip.
    My idea was to build a rig that could be used when 10m is dead, such as at night or in poor solar years. 10m is a great band and very little used when
    not "open".
    It is ideal for local contacts as antennas are small especially when
    compared with 160m. CB antennas work well.
    In my mind was something like the old Heathkit Benton Harbour Lunchboxes (remember those?), but far smaller and on a single simple PCB.
    Sadly my stroke got in the way and the project was not completed. It would
    be great if someone else completed this project. There may well be better solutions these days.
    See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-am-tenbox .

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    10m WSPR QRP TX

    Posted: 12 Apr 2022 03:52 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/10m-wspr-qrp-tx.html


    At the moment, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far today, just local spots.
    UPDATE 1052z: Still just local spots.

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    8m tests (Tuesday)

    Posted: 12 Apr 2022 08:37 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/8m-tests-tuesday.html


    This morning I am doing MSK144 tests with Paul G9PUV nearby Brighton. I am copying him, but he is not copying me.
    UPDATE 0801z: Sadly he did not copy me. At times he was very strong, presumably by random MS bursts. I guess with his much higher power they
    were long enough for me to decode Paul. Being much weaker, it would need a
    very long burst for me to be decoded at his end. We tried. I am sure with a proper MS shower or Es backscatter, we have a chance. Currently FT8 RX on
    8m on 40.680 MHz USB dial.
    UPDATE 1314z: No FT8 spots. I see both S50B and ZS6WAB are monitoring. I think I have a very modest station, so my "experiment" is really to see how
    8m does with a QRP station and small wire antenna.
    UPDATE 1345z: Now on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX again. 2 local spots so
    far. I have still to have a 2-way exchange of reports on 8m.
    UPDATE 1530z: For about the last hour, I have been on 8m FT8 RX. No
    spots. I must see if I can see the Irish beacon EI1KNH near Dublin on
    40.013 MHz sending FT8 for part of its cycle. I may just be possible to
    copy this by tropo, but I expect it will be strong on MS pings.

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    Sunspots - Tuesday April 12th 2022

    Posted: 11 Apr 2022 11:09 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/sunspots-tuesday-april-12th-2022.html


    Solar flux is 99 and the SSN 24. A=13 and K=1.

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